Specialist UX Designer (m/w/d) (befr. 2 Jahre)

DATEV eG
Full-timeβ€’Nuremberg, Germany

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Specialist UX Designer (m/f/d) (Fixed-term 2 Years)

Company: DATEV eG

Location: Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-19

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role focuses on the conceptualization and visual design of a consistent and positive user experience for cloud applications, emphasizing usability, accessibility, efficiency, and consistency.

  • You will analyze, prioritize, and derive user-centric requirements from research findings, developing actionable recommendations for product improvement.

  • The position involves advancing and embedding the Human-Centered Design process, utilizing appropriate UX methodologies to elevate the overall UX maturity.

  • You will independently design complex process flows and create wireframes, prototypes, and scalable design solutions for new-generation cloud applications.

  • Proactive collaboration, consultation, and workshop facilitation with stakeholders are key to integrating the user perspective into product strategy and decision-making processes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This is a highly specialized UX Design role within a large IT service provider, likely focusing on B2B cloud applications. The term "befr. 2 Jahre" (fixed-term 2 years) indicates a contract position, which is common for project-specific needs or to bring in specialized expertise for a defined period. The emphasis on "Requirements Engineering" and "cross-functional Featureteam" suggests a strong link between UX design and the early stages of product development, utilizing agile methodologies.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • User Experience Design & Strategy: Conceptualize, design, and deliver intuitive and engaging user interfaces for cloud-based B2B applications, ensuring a seamless user journey.

  • User Research & Analysis: Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) to gather insights, identify pain points, and inform design decisions.

  • Requirements Derivation: Translate user needs and business objectives into clear, actionable design requirements, prioritizing features based on impact and feasibility.

  • Prototyping & Wireframing: Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

  • Human-Centered Design Implementation: Champion and implement Human-Centered Design principles and processes throughout the product development lifecycle, driving improvements in UX maturity.

  • Stakeholder Collaboration & Workshop Facilitation: Engage proactively with product managers, developers, business analysts, and other stakeholders through workshops and regular communication to ensure alignment and gather feedback.

  • Design System & Consistency: Contribute to and maintain design systems to ensure consistency in UI elements, interactions, and overall user experience across DATEV's application suite.

  • Accessibility Standards: Ensure all designed interfaces adhere to current accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) to create inclusive digital products.

  • Agile Development Integration: Work effectively within agile feature teams, participating in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives to deliver iterative design solutions.

  • Process Flow Design: Design and optimize complex user process flows, focusing on efficiency and ease of use for business users.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level UX Designer role, requiring not just execution but also strategic input, process ownership, and stakeholder management. The mention of "cross-functional Featureteam" and "agile development methods" points to an agile environment where UX designers are integrated members, not just external consultants.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Successfully completed degree in Visual Communication, Media Design, Product Design, Interface Design, or a comparable field of study. Experience:

  • Minimum of five years of professional experience in UX Design, ideally with responsibility for own product areas and experience in complex software or B2B applications. Required Skills:

  • UX Design Expertise: Proven ability to design consistent, user-friendly, and accessible user experiences for complex applications.

  • User Research Proficiency: Strong experience in conducting and analyzing user research to derive actionable insights and recommendations.

  • Prototyping & Wireframing: Demonstrated skill in creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.

  • Human-Centered Design: Deep understanding and practical application of Human-Centered Design principles and methodologies.

  • Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

  • Conceptualization & Structuring: Strong conceptualization skills with experience in structuring complex requirements and articulating UX design decisions.

  • Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and business stakeholders.

  • Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex user problems and develop effective, user-centric solutions.

  • Communication Skills: Clear and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal, for presenting design concepts and rationale.

Preferred Skills:

  • B2B Application Design: Specific experience designing for business-to-business (B2B) software or enterprise-level applications.

  • Accessibility Standards: In-depth knowledge of accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG) and experience implementing them.

  • Design Thinking Facilitation: Experience in facilitating Design Thinking workshops and other collaborative design sessions.

  • Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) and experience working in agile teams.

  • Visual Design Principles: Strong understanding of visual design principles, typography, and layout.

  • German Language Proficiency: Fluency in German is essential given the job description and company context.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at least five years of professional experience" and experience with "complex software or B2B applications" positions this as a mid-to-senior level role. The "erlernbare Skills" section highlights that while specific business domain knowledge is acquired on the job, core UX competencies must be pre-existing. Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required tool.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 significant UX design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, from problem definition and user research to concept development, prototyping, and final UI design.

  • Problem-Solution Articulation: Clearly articulate the user problems addressed, the design challenges faced, and how your solutions effectively met user needs and business objectives.

  • Process Demonstration: Illustrate the specific UX methodologies and tools used in each project (e.g., user journey mapping, persona development, usability testing, prototyping with Figma).

  • Impact & Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible, using metrics related to usability improvements, efficiency gains, user satisfaction, or adoption rates.

  • Scalable Design Solutions: Highlight examples of designs that demonstrate scalability and adaptability across different platforms or product versions.

Process Documentation:

  • User Research Reports: Examples of how user research findings were synthesized and translated into actionable design insights.

  • Design Process Workflow: Documentation or explanation of your typical UX design workflow, from initial concept to final handoff.

  • Usability Testing Plans & Results: Evidence of how usability testing was conducted and how feedback was incorporated into design iterations.

  • Design System Contributions: If applicable, examples of contributions to or utilization of design systems.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, a robust portfolio is paramount. The emphasis should be on demonstrating a structured, user-centered design process and the ability to translate complex requirements into tangible, effective designs, particularly within a B2B context. The portfolio should clearly showcase proficiency with Figma and an understanding of agile development environments.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on the experience level (5-10 years), location (Nuremberg, Germany), and the nature of the role (Specialist UX Designer within a large IT company like DATEV), a competitive salary range for a UX Designer in Germany typically falls between €55,000 and €75,000 annually. For a fixed-term contract, this might be adjusted based on market rates for contract positions.

  • Estimated Annual Salary: €55,000 - €75,000 (gross)

Benefits:

  • Mobile Work Options: Opportunity for remote work ("Homeoffice") within Germany, including the necessary technical equipment.

  • Flexible Working Hours: Flexible work schedules allowing for good work-life balance.

  • Compensatory Time Off: Possibility for time off in lieu of overtime.

  • Professional Development: Extensive opportunities for professional and personal training and development, both during and outside working hours.

  • Internal Communities: Access to numerous internal communities for networking and collaborative learning.

  • Comprehensive IT Services: As a leading IT service provider, DATEV likely offers robust IT infrastructure and support.

  • Employee Well-being Programs: Potential for additional wellness initiatives or benefits common in large German corporations.

Working Hours:

  • Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are standard for large German employers and include strong support for work-life balance and professional growth, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced UX designers in Germany, considering the cost of living in Nuremberg and the specific sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Software and IT Services (specifically for tax advisors, auditors, and their clients).

Company Size: Over 9,000 employees. This indicates a large, established organization with structured processes and significant resources. For operations professionals, this means potential for specialized roles, clear career paths, and a stable work environment, but also potentially longer decision-making cycles.

Founded: DATEV was founded in 1966. This long history suggests stability, deep market understanding, and a well-established customer base.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Designer will be part of the "Homebase Requirements Engineering & User Experience" team.

  • They will work independently within "changing projects" in a "cross-functional Featureteam." This implies a matrixed structure where individuals are assigned to project-specific teams that include members from various disciplines (development, product management, QA, UX).

  • The "Homebase" structure suggests a central team that provides expertise and standards, while individual members are deployed to different product development initiatives. Methodology:

  • Agile Development: The team utilizes agile development methods, indicating iterative development cycles, frequent collaboration, and a focus on delivering value incrementally.

  • Human-Centered Design: This is a core methodology, emphasizing user needs and iterative design based on research and feedback.

  • Cloud Application Development: Focus on creating new-generation cloud applications, suggesting a modern technology stack and forward-thinking approach.

  • Data-Driven Decisions: While not explicitly stated for UX, the company's nature as an IT service provider implies a strong reliance on data for product improvement and decision-making.

Company Website: https://www.datev.de/

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: DATEV's focus on the German market and its specific customer base (tax advisors, etc.) means that understanding business processes and the needs of these professional users is crucial for the UX designer. The company's size and history imply a strong emphasis on reliability, security, and compliance, which will influence design decisions.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

  • This role is positioned as a "Specialist" with a requirement for "at least five years of professional experience." This indicates a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role. The focus is on deep expertise in UX design and its application within product development. It's not an entry-level position, nor is it explicitly a management role, though it involves significant influence and collaboration. Reporting Structure:

  • The designer works "eigenverantwortlich" (independently) in cross-functional feature teams.

  • They are part of the "Homebase Requirements Engineering & User Experience" team, suggesting a functional reporting line to a UX/Product Lead or Manager within that Homebase, in addition to project-based collaboration within feature teams. Operations Impact:

  • The UX Designer's primary impact is on the usability, efficiency, and user satisfaction of DATEV's cloud applications.

  • By integrating user perspectives and driving the Human-Centered Design process, the role directly influences product adoption, customer retention, and the overall success of DATEV's digital offerings.

  • Effective UX design can reduce support costs, improve operational efficiency for customers, and enhance DATEV's reputation as a user-centric technology provider. Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX, such as user research, interaction design, accessibility, or design systems.

  • Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Designer role, leading design initiatives for larger product areas or mentoring junior designers.

  • Cross-Functional Movement: Potentially move into Product Management or Requirements Engineering roles, leveraging UX insights and understanding of user needs.

  • Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in DATEV's core business domains (e.g., tax, accounting, payroll), becoming an expert in designing for these specific user groups.

  • Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to further refine and optimize DATEV's UX design processes and methodologies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "befr. 2 Jahre" (fixed-term 2 years) aspect is significant. While growth opportunities within DATEV are likely, this specific role is a contract position. Candidates should consider whether they are seeking long-term employment or a specific project-based engagement. Growth might involve demonstrating exceptional performance to secure a permanent role or leveraging the experience gained for future opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

  • DATEV is a large IT service provider with a significant physical presence. The role is based in Nuremberg.

  • The "Homeoffice" option indicates a hybrid work model, allowing for a mix of remote and in-office work. Office Location(s):

  • Primary location: Nuremberg, FΓΌrther Str. 111, Germany. This is a well-established corporate location.

  • The "Homeoffice" benefit means that while the role is based in Nuremberg, there is flexibility for employees to work remotely within Germany. Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Working in cross-functional feature teams and facilitating workshops with stakeholders fosters a collaborative atmosphere.

  • Advanced Technology: As an IT company, DATEV likely provides modern hardware and software tools necessary for UX design, including Figma and other relevant applications.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams (developers, product managers, other designers) are inherent to the role and the agile methodology. The "internal communities" also provide avenues for broader networking.

Work Schedule:

  • Flexible working hours are offered, contributing to a good work-life balance. This flexibility is crucial for UX designers who may need focused, uninterrupted time for design work, alongside collaborative periods.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility while still requiring some presence or interaction within the Nuremberg hub. The emphasis on "technical equipment" for remote work underscores DATEV's commitment to enabling effective hybrid operations.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Application Review: Focus on your resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

  • Screening Call: Likely with HR or a UX lead to discuss your background, motivations, and initial fit for the role and DATEV.

  • Technical Interview / Portfolio Presentation: This is a critical stage. You will likely present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, and how you approach problem-solving. Expect questions about your experience with Figma, user research, and complex B2B applications.

  • Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with members of the feature team and key stakeholders (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Developer) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss your overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (B2B software, complex applications, Human-Centered Design).

  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes achieved. Use visuals effectively.

  • Highlight Process: Detail your UX methodologies, research techniques, and how you made design decisions. Explain why you chose certain approaches.

  • Showcase Figma Skills: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with Figma and how you leverage its features for collaboration, prototyping, and design system management.

  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion times, higher user satisfaction scores).

  • Address B2B Context: If possible, include projects that demonstrate understanding of business user needs and complex workflows.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or case study, either take-home or during an interview. This might involve analyzing a given problem, proposing solutions, or critiquing an existing interface.

  • Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific design challenges, stakeholder disagreements, or conflicting requirements.

  • Methodology Explanation: Be ready to explain your preferred UX methodologies and how you adapt them to different project contexts.

  • Company Research: Understand DATEV's business, its products, and its target audience. Consider how UX can support their goals.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential design exercise highlights the practical nature of this UX role. Candidates need to demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply it effectively and communicate their process and rationale clearly.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Explicitly required for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

  • Prototyping Tools: In addition to Figma's capabilities, experience with other dedicated prototyping tools may be beneficial.

  • Design System Management: Familiarity with creating, maintaining, or utilizing design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly listed as a direct responsibility, UX designers often work with:
    • Web Analytics Tools: (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior on digital platforms.
    • User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., Hotjar, SurveyMonkey).
    • A/B Testing Tools: For validating design changes based on performance data.

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly mentioned for UX, but understanding how design impacts CRM and automation workflows for business users could be a plus.

  • Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools used in agile environments like Jira, Confluence, or Trello for task tracking and documentation.

  • Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar platforms for team communication.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of the required toolset. While other tools may be used indirectly or in collaboration with other teams, a deep understanding of Figma's capabilities for the entire design lifecycle is critical for this role.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A fundamental value, driving the focus on user needs, usability, and accessibility in all design work.

  • Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working within cross-functional teams and with diverse stakeholders. Open communication and mutual respect are key.

  • Efficiency & Effectiveness: Striving for designs that are not only user-friendly but also efficient for users and contribute to DATEV's business objectives.

  • Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining UX processes, learning new methods, and staying updated with design trends and technologies.

  • Quality & Reliability: Reflecting DATEV's broader company values, ensuring designs are robust, well-tested, and contribute to the reliability of DATEV's software.

Collaboration Style:

  • Agile & Iterative: Working in sprints, with frequent feedback loops and adjustments.

  • Cross-Functional Integration: UX designers are integral members of feature teams, working closely with developers, product managers, and testers.

  • Workshop-Based: Proactive facilitation of workshops to gather requirements, brainstorm solutions, and align stakeholders.

  • Data-Informed: Design decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and stakeholder input.

  • Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: DATEV's emphasis on "strong community," "safety and openness," and "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" suggests a supportive and inclusive work environment. The UX team likely embodies these values, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and collaboration is paramount.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Requirements: A common challenge in B2B UX is reconciling complex user workflows and demanding business needs with intuitive design principles.

  • Integrating UX into Agile Cycles: Ensuring UX activities are effectively integrated into fast-paced agile sprints without becoming a bottleneck.

  • Designing for Complex Domains: Understanding and effectively designing for DATEV's specialized business domains (e.g., tax, accounting) requires significant learning and adaptation.

  • Cross-Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse opinions and priorities among various stakeholders to reach consensus on design solutions.

  • Maintaining Consistency Across a Large Product Suite: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across numerous applications, especially as new features and products are developed.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of DATEV's business processes and the needs of tax advisors and their clients.

  • Advanced UX Methodologies: Explore and implement more advanced UX research techniques, service design, or UX strategy frameworks.

  • Leadership Skills: Develop skills in mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, or facilitating complex workshops.

  • Technical Acumen: Enhance understanding of cloud technologies and software development processes to better collaborate with engineering teams.

  • Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend external conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay abreast of UX trends and best practices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "fixed-term 2 years" nature of the role presents a unique challenge and opportunity. Candidates must be adept at quickly integrating into teams and delivering value within a defined timeframe. This also means opportunities for growth are likely geared towards demonstrating high performance within that project scope, potentially leading to a permanent position or a strong reference for future roles.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex B2B application you've designed. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?"

  • "How do you approach user research when designing for a niche professional audience like tax advisors?"

  • "Walk us through your process for creating a prototype in Figma for a new feature. What are the key considerations?"

  • "How do you balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs in your design process?"

  • "Explain your experience with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and how you integrate them into your designs." Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about DATEV and this specific UX Designer role?"

  • "How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment?"

  • "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centric design decision that was initially met with resistance."

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest UX design trends and technologies?"

  • "What are your expectations regarding flexible working and hybrid work models?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction to the project/problem, your role, the process, key design decisions and rationale, the final solution, and the outcomes/impact.

  • Visuals: Use high-quality screenshots, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

  • Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative to engage the interviewer.

  • Figma Focus: Be prepared to demonstrate specific Figma features you used and explain your workflow.

  • Quantification: Emphasize any measurable results or positive user feedback.

  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time limits; focus on the most impactful aspects of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Exercise: Practice solving common UX problems quickly. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, not just the final design.

  • Methodology Explanation: Be ready to articulate your understanding of Agile, Human-Centered Design, and your preferred UX methods.

  • Stakeholder Scenarios: Prepare responses for how you would handle situations involving design disagreements or scope changes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who not only possesses strong technical UX skills but also demonstrates excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities, with a clear understanding of the B2B context and DATEV's operational environment.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the DATEV careers portal using the provided link.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with complex B2B applications, Human-Centered Design, and proficiency in Figma. Focus on projects that showcase your ability to translate user research into tangible design solutions.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of UX design experience, specifically mentioning skills in user research, prototyping, wireframing, Figma, and working within agile teams. Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling and articulating your design process. Prepare to answer scenario-based questions related to UX challenges in a B2B software context and familiarize yourself with DATEV's products and mission.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research DATEV eG, its mission, its primary customer base (tax advisors, etc.), and its product offerings. Understand their commitment to digitalization and cloud solutions. This will help you articulate your interest and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a degree in visual communication, product design, or a similar field, along with at least five years of professional UX design experience. Proficiency in Figma and a strong ability to structure complex requirements for B2B software applications are required.